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zztop610
Contributor II
June 24, 2020

Low Volume- Sonos Arc

All of a sudden, the volume has become low on my sonos. Normally, I listen at around 20-25 but now to hear the same level, I have to increase up to 40-45. Started noticing this after the software update. Happens both with Samsung Q8FN native apps and Apple TV4K

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    mbrunner
    Lyricist III
    February 22, 2021

    @GuitarSuperstar My LG CX is set to auto but I have tried passthrough and that did not have an impact.  I unplugged everything and plugged them back in and that also didn't have an impact.  

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    February 22, 2021

    The Apple TV 4K uses the Dolby MAT audio codec which basically uses a lossless form of PCM audio. I wonder if your TV is doing something to the multichannel PCM audio the Apple TV is sending it? 

    In your TV settings, I’m assuming you have eARC turned on. Is HDMI Input Audio Format set to Bitstream?

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    mbrunner
    Lyricist III
    February 22, 2021

    @GuitarSuperstar thanls for the help. Yes, earc is turned on and set to bitstream.  

    GuitarSuperstar
    Lead Maestro
    February 23, 2021

    So strange. The only other things I can think to try is setting Audio Mode on the Apple TV to 16 bit, connecting the Apple TV to a different HDMI port on your TV, or using a different HDMI cable.

    Just curious… if you change the Audio Format on the Apple TV to Dolby Digital 5.1, does it make a difference?

    "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
    mbrunner
    Lyricist III
    February 23, 2021

    @GuitarSuperstar I’ve tried different ports and cables and I tried 16 bit and the sound is still incredibly low compared to the built-in apps on LG CX, 4k blu-ray player, and Xbox. My guess is it has something to do with the CX and apple TV.  I'm going to borrow my friend's 2020 Roku Ultra and see if I have the same issues.  If I don’t I'll stick with Roku until the issue is solved.  

      dbannister107
      Lyricist I
      March 28, 2021

      Does anyone else have this problem with the Arc? The volume sounds so low even though I have disabled the night mode and turned on loudness. I have to push the speaker level up to 30 to hear anything 

       

      I don’t think it’s just Arc-related: I’ve noticed it on my Playbase, One’s and Play:5. As I say, I suspect it’s to resolve the “minimum volume is too loud at night” concerns that some owners have expressed.

       

      Dear Sonos:    Can you confirm whether this is the case, please?

       

      Same here.  After about three months of use, I need to increase volume to 75% just to get normal conversational level volume.  Not cool.

      Mb1987
      Lyricist I
      April 24, 2021

      Our new arc arrived today and we switched out the playbar to the arc. Nothing else changed. Volume on tv went from 10 to 40 for same volume feel.

      Contemplating if it’s worth just returning the arc since for me so far the arc seems like a step down in sound to what we have had

        GuitarSuperstar
        Lead Maestro
        April 24, 2021

        @Mb1987 What model is your TV? How is the Arc connected to the TV? Are you watching a stereo 2.0 or multichannel 5.1 source?

        "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
        Mb1987
        Lyricist I
        April 24, 2021

        @GuitarSuperstar we have a Sony KD65XF900 (hated and only non Samsung product left to be replaced) the arc as I say arrived today and is connected via a brand new hdmi cable. The source is 5.1. 
        We have tried normal tv, multiple streaming sources and music services with the same result. 

        John B
        April 24, 2021

        This may be me misunderstanding,  but .... what has the volume on the TV got to do with anything? Where do the 10 and 40 come from?

        If you turn the volume up close to max in the Sonos app, is the Arc still quiet, or much louder than you would ever want to listen to it?

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